Cut-out



(No Model.)

L. W. MILLER.

GUT-OUT.

Patented Oct. 24,1893.

UNITED STATES PATENT rricn.

LOUIS W. MILLER, OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK.

CUT-OUT.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 507,150, dated October 24, 1893.

Application filed July 29, 1893. $erial No. 481,884. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, LOUIS W. MILLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Rochester, in the county of Monroe, in the State of New York, have invented an Improved Out-Out for Electric Signal-Boxes, of which the following is a specification, reference bemg had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to improvements in the construction of cut-outs for electric-signalboxes, designed more particularly for use in connection with fire-alarm or police-signal boxes, but capable of being used for other purposes.

My improvements are fully described and illustrated in the following specification and the accompanying drawings,-the novel features thereof being specified in the claims annexed to the said specification.

In the accompanying drawings representing my improved cut-out, figure 1 is a plan view, showing the connections with the mechanism of the box, when the door of the box is open. Fig. 2 is a side view. Fig. 3 is aplan View when the door is closed. Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4.4, Fig. 3.

My improved cut-out consists essentially of the ways A A, attached together at their ends by the blocks B and C, the sliding block D, made of insulating material and carrying the separate metallic plates I and J, which are insulated from each other by the block, the rod E arranged to be pushed in by the door when closed, and the electric connections. The Ways A A in which the block D slides are conveniently formed of sheet-metal, bent to the proper shape, and having flanges F F projecting over the edges of the blocks B, O and D. The ways are attached at their ends to the opposite sides of the blocks B and O, in any suitable'way. A spring, H, is provided between blocks B and D, which forces the block D constantly toward the block 0. The ends of the spring are seated in suitable recesses in the blocks B and D.

L and L represent the line wires, which lead to the central station, either directly or through other boxes.

N represents the brake-wheel of the signal box, the mechanism of which is of any ordinary or preferred construction for either fire or patrol boxes.

X represents a magnet in the circuit, which is used for ringing a bell or giving other signals.

When the door D of the signal box is open, the spring H forces the block D toward the block 0, as represented in Fig. 1, and the course of the current through the apparatus is as follows: from line wire L through binding post Q to the springs O and P, thence through plate I to springs U, to post V, and thence through wire Y, magnet X, and spring Z to the break-wheel N, the shaft of which is in electric connection with the line-wire L. A- lightning-arrester may be applied to the line-wires. When the door is closed, the rod E is forced inward,the spring H being compressed, and the block D shifted, so that the course of the current is as follows: from linewire L, through post Q and springs O and P, to plate J, and thence through spring T and post R to wire M, which connects with the spring Z and break-wheel N and thence to line-wire. It will be observed that, when the door is closed, the magnets X are out out of the circuit, and also the telephone or any additional appliances which may beinserted on the wire Y. The break-wheel still remains in circuit, so that signals can come in from the box when the door D is closed. It will thus be seen that in case a current of too great strength should reach the box, as from contact of a line-wire with an electric light or street-railway wire, the magnets, &c., cannot be injured,-since the spring Z can be made heavy enough to carry such current.

The block D is preferably made of porcelain, and the plates I and J are attached to it by the bolts a and nuts b located in a recess on one side of the block, as shown in Fig. I. The rod E is secured in the block D by the nut c. The plates I and J are arranged on one side of the block D, with a transverse space between their inner edges. The springs O P and T are made of such a length that the former can contact with either of the plates I or J, while the latter contacts with J only. The blocks B and C may also be of porcelain, or the posts R, Q and V may be insulated by tubes and washers or in any preferred manner. The springs O and P are secured in place by a screw or bolt c,-=these springs being of difierent lengths to bridge the break between the plates I and J,so that the circuit will not open when the sliding block is shifting. As the springs O and P slide into contact with the plate I, the shunt circuit through Q, R, is broken, the plane of plate I being sufficiently higher than that of J to accomplish this by lifting the springs 0,1 out of contact with plate J. As the spring P is shorter than spring 0, it will spring down into contact with plate J, while the spring O, is still elevated and in contact with plate I. The circuit between Q and R is therefore established before the circuit from Q to V is broken, so that the current circulates constantly without break when the block D is shifted. This arrangement is especially useful on those circuits in which a signal is given by breaking the circuit, as in fire-alarm systems, since by it I prevent the giving of a signal when the box is opened or closed. The difference in length between 0 and P is somewhat greater than the space between the edges of the plates I and J. The springs U and T are made double, in order to secure good contacts. They are secured in place by the screws S and IV. The end of the rod E is also preferably provided with an insulatorf, Fig. 1.

My improved cut-out'is simple and durable, and not liable to get out of order, as I have demonstrated by a practical trial during a considerable period of time.

I claim 1. The combination with the mechanism of an electric signal box, of the herein described cut-out, comprising the ways A A, connected at their ends by the insulating blocks B and O, the sliding block D, formed of insulating material and carrying the plates I and J arranged transversely on one side of the block with an interval between their inner edges, the spring U attached to one end-block and projecting inward between the Ways, two springs of different lengths attached to the other-end block and projecting inward between the ways, one of said springs being adapted to contact with either of the plates I or J, while the other contacts with Jonly,and suitable electric connections, substantially as described.

2. The combination, in a cut-out for an electric-signal-box, of the ways A A, the sliding block D made of insulating material and provided with plates I and J, two contactsprings of different lengths arranged at one end of the movement of the block, one of these springs raving portions 0 P of different lengths, and a third contact spring located at the opposite end of said movement, substantially as described.

LOUIS IV. MILLER.

Witnesses:

GEO. B. SELDEN, G. G. CRANNELL. 

